John Clay’s Sidelines

John Lucas

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• WKYT reports that Billy Gillispie has checked into the John Lucas Aftercare Program in Houston for alcohol rehabilitation.
• Here’s info on the John Lucas Aftercare Program.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes on the “Wildcat” formation.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes on the “Wildcat” formation.
• Ashlee Clark and Karla Ward of the H-L report that ex-UK basketball player Derrick Miller has also been charged in ticket scam.
• Gary Parrish of CBS Sportsline comments on the ticket scam, and reports on Gillispie.
• B.W. Jones of the Kentucky Kernel writes on UK kicker Lones Seiber.

Continue reading ‘BBL: WKYT reports Billy Gillispie checks into rehab’

A.J. Stewart

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader reports that freshman offensive lineman Larry Warford is making a big impression.
• Jerry Tipton of the H-L reports that UK rules SEC Basketball’s Super Tuesday on ESPN.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that UK has something “black” planned for Mississippi State game.
• Dawson also reports on the battle at center for a one-game start.
• Bluegrass State Basketball reports that A.J. Stewart will play at Texas State.
• Cat Scratches reports that UK pitcher James Paxton has postponed his major league career.
• Chris Low of ESPN writes that Kentucky hoops is the villain to Kentucky football.
• Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that Corey Joseph, being recruited by UK, is spending plenty of time at Minnesota.

Continue reading ‘BBL: A.J. Stewart to play at Texas State’

Seth Davis’ television duties done for another year, the handsome (blue) devil picks up the laptop and taps out an SI.com screed slicing and dicing new Florida International coach Isiah Thomas and new UK coach John Calipari over the practice of yanking the scholarships of holdover players.

Writes Davis, “Calipari took the art of running off players to new heights this spring.”

To be fair, the piece is pretty fair, and pretty good. And Davis does talk to A.J. Stewart, the now ex-Cat who failed to make the cut in Calipari’s tryout camp. Stewart says he doesn’t blame Calipari for handing him the short end of the business stick. And Davis does add the significant factoid that A.J.’s lack of class attendance earned him a 10-game suspension heading into next season.

Still, Davis makes the long first-base stretch to ask Stewart what would have happened were the Jacksonville native a 20-point per game scorer.

Answers Stewart, “I think I’d still be wearing blue.”

He thinks correctly.

In my more idealistic youth, I saw such practices as failing to renew a player’s scholarship as outlandish behavior. I’ve softened my hard-lance stance over the years, and while Calipari’s spring cleaning makes me a bit uncomfortable, I’m far from outraged.

Continue reading ‘Seth Davis chides Calipari for scholarship game’

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader reports that walk-on Landon Slone is leaving the UK basketball program along with Donald Williams, A.J. Stewart and Jared Carter.
• John Calipari sends a tweet apologizing for not meeting with Slone.
• My column on new UK assistant basketball coach Rod Strickland.
• Tipton also reports that ex-UK player Dale Brown would like an exhibition game with UK.
• Beverly Fortune of the Herald-Leader reports that Billy Gillispie’s house is back up for sale, with a $1.5 million asking price.
• David Climer of the Tennessean writes that Kentucky is showing what’s wrong with NCAA scholarship rules.
• James Quinn of espn.com reports that UK target Roscoe Smith is looking at all his options.
• Calipari tells Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News that the dribble-drive offense does have room for two point guards. (Hat tip to Tom Leach.)

Continue reading ‘BBL: Four departures, house for sale, and recruiting news’

Trey Grayson

Apparently Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson wasn’t too happy with Kentucky’s 73-70 loss to LSU on Saturday.

Or he wasn’t happy with one particular player, anyway.

On his Twitter page, Grayson wrote:

Maybe AJ Stewart should consider quitting again if he is going to leave his man wide open for a game winning shot.

You can find Grayson’s Twitter page here. Or click the jump to see a copy.

Continue reading ‘Secretary of State Grayson knocks Stewart on Twitter’

Big Blue Links for the UK-LSU showdown (4 p.m., CBS):

• In the Herald-Leader, Jerry Tipton writes that this is a nighmare matchup for the Cats.
• Here’s my column saying today’s game poses the biggest test of the young Billy Gillispie Era.
• Tipton’s notes packages leads with the off-and-on status of A.J. Stewart.
• All your UK audio needs are on this link.
• Gary Laney of the Baton Rouge Advocate writes that Rupp Arena awaits the Tigers.
• Laney also writes that LSU is counting on Garrett Temple to contain Jodie Meeks.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that Meeks impresses Temple.
• Vaught also writes that LSU awaits a “talented” UK.
• Hoops Report gives some love to LSU’s Marcus Thornton.
• Kevin Lyttle of the Austin American-Statesman writes that LSU’s turnaround season has been striking.
• David Helman of the Daily Reville writes that LSU is shooting for the SEC crown today.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that Patrick Patterson is the Cats’ insider.

Continue reading ‘BBL: UK-LSU preview links’

A.J. Stewart

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• After initially reporting that Stewart had been kicked off the team, Kentucky Sports Radio says it may not be permanent.
• WKYT cites sources saying Stewart did quit the team.
• Is A.J. Stewart on the team? Mother tells C-J “as far as I know.”
• In the Herald-Leader, Jerry Tipton writes that Patrick Patterson is ignoring the pundits.
• Audio of Billy Gillispie from Thursday’s SEC teleconference.
• LSU coach Tent Johnson talks about Kentucky on the SEC teleconference.
• Jennifer Smith of the Herald-Leader reports on the UK hoops loss to visiting Georgia.
• In The Advocate, Gary Laney writes that LSU’s Marcus Thornton compares favorably to Jodie Meeks.
• ESPN’s Chris Low reports on a snag in the UK-Miami of Ohio football talks.
• Eric Crawford of the Courier-Journal writes that something seems amiss with these Cats.
• Also in the C-J, Brett Dawson reports that UK’s spirits are high even after loss.
• A Sea of Blue has the post-mortem on the South Carolina loss.
• In the Kentucky Kernel, B.W. Jones writes that the UK women’s comeback came up short.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that UK just phoned it in.
• Cat Scratches has its practice report, with no A.J. mention.

Photo by Pablo Alcala.

Some UK player assessments after the 93-69 win over Appalachian State:

• Jodie Meeks: Billy Gillispie called his junior guard incredible after Meeks made 14 of 21 shots, including nine of 14 three-pointers and nine of 10 free throws. Meeks scored 24 points in the first half. It was the most points by a Cat in Freedom Hall, topping Mike Pratt’s 42. It was the sixth most points by an individual Cat in UK history. Meeks admitted his defense was not the best, but he sure was hot on the offensive end. In three career games at Freedom Hall, Meeks has made 20 of 35 shots, including 15 of 28 three-pointers.

• Patrick Patterson: He tied his season high of four blocked shots, but Gillispie was not crazy about Patterson’s defensive effort. Offensively, the sophomore scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Made just six of 13 shots, first time since going 4-for-10 against Delaware State that he has been under 50 percent from the floor. Patterson did make all seven of his free throws, his best accuracy showing as a Cat on that many attempts.

• A.J. Stewart: The sophomore played a season-high 15 minutes, scoring a season-high nine points. That’s his most minutes since 21 at Alabama back on Feb. 9 of last season. The nine points are Stewart’s most since scoring 10 against Liberty on Nov. 21, 2007. Gillispie’s only complaint was that Stewart made too many “not-thinking” plays.

• Ramon Harris: Good to see the junior back on the floor, even if it was for only nine minutes after that frightening collision with Michael Porter in Lamar game. Harris’ defense was such that Gillispie cracked that Appalachian State might not have scored in the first half if not for Harris. Ramon said it wasn’t a case of being rusty, just a case of him not focusing enough when in the game.

Continue reading ‘UK player notes after win over ASU’

Audio after Kentucky’s 93-69 win over Appalachian State at Freedom Hall:

• Head coach Billy Gillispie talks about the win. (14:19)

• Jodie Meeks talks about his 46-point performance, most by a UK player ever at Freedom Hall. (11:04)

• Ramon Harris and A.J. Stewart talk about the win and Harris’ return. (7:14)